Here's to the crews from all the networks...

Top row: Bradley, Ryan, Vern, Nik
Bottom row: Sean, Chris, Cheech, Chris Simpson, Dregr, Bob

I would like to just take the time here to comment on a bunch of really cool people. I don't know why, but for competing networks everyone here gets along really good. No, I do know why. Because as I have said about a hundred times during this long strange trip, 'we are all in this together'.

We as shooters all have the same goal, to get our stuff on the air as quickly and efficiently as possible. Sometimes this is difficult. If there was something that I needed to get it done I know the guys from Sportsnet, TSN, or any of the local networks would not hesitate to help me out. They know that in the same situation that if I could help them they would like it to happen. And it would.

Speaking of helping out. The guys from Carolina ABC were doing their live and they were working without a phone line to get off air sound. Basically this is what the reporter listens to in his ear so he knows when to talk. Imagine doing it with no sound. No way to know if the anchor on the other end asked you a question or not. So I gave them my cell phone IFB kit to use so they could use their cell to call a phone line that broadcasts their signal so he could hear the show in his ear. They looked at me like I was on crack helping them out. All I know is that if I were in that position, which I would not let myself into, I would love to have some help. Karma, I believe in it.

From Cory Blashill helping me for over an hour to get my live hit in San Jose on the air, me giving a whole whack of cable to help the SNET guys get their live show on the air from center ice, or Jordi holding the City TV cameras mic in scrums. We know what it is like to be under the gun with no end in sight and any help we can get is much appreciated. In the same breath we know that it will be returned at the drop of a hat. That is why I really like working up here in this market. None of that BS between networks. Can you believe that? City sending their camera guy over with no reporter to compete with 25 other cameras and about 40 reporters to get post game sound (which is insane and why they are in last place). The management over there needs to shake themselves. IN MY OPINION.

Now of course we all want to be number one so we are all trying to outdo each other but in the end we all want each other to succeed.

So my hat is off to all the boys with cameras on their shoulders who chased the Stanley Cup with the Oilers this year. Thanks and I hope that it is not over yet.

Cory, Sean, Bradley, and Vern from Sportsnet. Sergio, Ned, and Scotty from TSN. Ryan and Dwyane from the Score. Merko and Brian from City. Parker, Cam, and Barry from CFRN. Hamish, Cliffy from Global. All of you rule, hopefully we can do this again next year, or maybe this Saturday!